WE HAVE MOVED!

DAV Fry Chapter 14 has moved to our new office at the Cochise College Downtown Center(Old Sierra Vista Regional Hospital) at 2600 East Wilcox Dr in Sierra Vista, AZ. We are part of the “Community Services Group” on the right side of the building. Our operating hours have not changed. Our Transportation Office (520-458-5776) is open 0900-1200. Our Service Officers (520-458-0307) are available on a walk-in basis 1200-1600

Our monthly meetings will be held at this new location starting with the September 2016 meeting.

Come see our new facilities!

Chapter Offers Transportation to the Tucson VA Hospital

Chapter 14 provides transportation to and from the VA hospital in Tucson as part of the DAV Transportation Network administered by DAV at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS). If you need transportation to or from the Tucson VA hospital, please contact DAV Hospital Service Coordinators at 520-792-1450 (Toll free1-800-470-8262), Ext. 6565, at least 5 working days in advance of your medical appointment.

On the last working day before your medical appointment, you must call the Sierra Vista Chapter 14 DAV Transportation Office at 520-458-5776 between 1000-1200 to confirm your ride.It is the rider’s responsibility to coordinate with Tucson and the Sierra Vista DAV transportation offices and to be at the designated pickup point on time. Failure to show or other misuse of the DAV transportation system may result in a suspension of your riding privileges for up to three months.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded eligibility for some benefits for a select group of Air Force Veterans and Air Force Reserve personnel who were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange through regular and repeated contact with contaminated C-123 aircraft that had been used in Vietnam as part of Operation Ranch Hand (ORH). VA published this regulation as an interim final rule so that it could immediately begin providing benefits to eligible Air Force veterans and Air Force Reserve personnel who submit a disability compensation claim for any of the 14 medical conditions that have been determined by VA to be related to exposure to Agent Orange. Under this new rule, Air Force and Air Force Reserve flight, medical and ground maintenance crewmembers who served on the contaminated ORH C-123s are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during their service, thus making it easier for them to establish entitlement for some VA benefits if they develop an Agent Orange-related presumptive condition. In addition, for affected Air Force Reserve crew members, VA will presume that their Agent Orange-related condition had its onset during their Reserve training. This change ensures that these reservists are eligible for VA disability compensation and medical care for any Agent Orange-related presumptive condition, and that their surviving dependents are eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation and burial benefits.

To read the full text, click here or go to our “News” section under “VA Information.

We strongly recommend that you come see one of our Service Officers to help you complete your claim.

Upgrade of Discharges Due to PTSD

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed that boards for correction of military records or naval records begin to "fully and carefully consider every petition based on PTSD brought by each veteran." As many as 80,000 veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress and received other-than-honorable discharges can use evidence of their PTSD to petition service boards to upgrade the bad paper discharge. At stake for individuals is removal of lifelong stigmas that have scarred reputations, limited job prospects and blocked critical veteran benefits.BCM/NRs will fully and carefully consider every petition based on PTSD brought by each veteran. This includes a comprehensive review of all materials and evidence provided by the petitioner. To assist the BCM/NRs in the review of records and to ensure fidelity of the review protocol in these cases, the supplemental policy guidance which details medical considerations, mitigating factors and procedures for review is provided.

Click here for the memorandum and supplemental guidance or go to the “News” Section.

Vets101 Navigator Tool

Vets101 gives you tools to take charge of your future and make informed choices about the benefits you’ve earned through your service at https://www.vets101.org/

VA Contracts Provide Expanded Access to Community-Based Care

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that Veterans will have greater access to quality health care through a new initiative: Patient-Centered Community Care (PCCC). Under PCCC, VA medical centers will have the ability to purchase non-VA medical care for Veterans through contracted medical providers when they cannot readily provide the needed care due to geographic inaccessibility or limited capacity. Eligible Veterans will have access to inpatient specialty care, outpatient specialty care, mental health care, limited emergency care, and limited newborn care for enrolled female Veterans following the birth of a child. PCCC is part of the overall Non-VA Medical Care Program. It will provide all VA facilities with an additional option to purchase non-VA medical care when required Veteran care services are unavailable within the VA medical facility or when the Veterans benefit from receiving the needed care nearer to their homes. For more information, go to http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2481.

ADOT MVD Offers Two New Services For Military Veterans

Two new services will be offered to military veterans by the Arizona Department of Transportation, effective Sept. 16. Veterans can opt to have the word “veteran” on their Arizona-issued driver license, commercial driver license, identification card or instruction permit denoting their military service. A new driver license application is required for this service along with verification of veteran eligibility. In addition, veterans applying for an Arizona commercial driver license will have the option to request a waiver of the skills test if they meet certain requirements. Information can be obtained online at azdot.gov/mvd or by visiting any local ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office. All requests for the veteran designation mark to be added to a credential must be accomplished in person at an MVD.

Total Disability Ratings based on Unemployability

In June, the Department of Veterans Affairs sent out a letter to “revise and clarify VA procedures relating to claims for total disability ratings based on individual unemployability (TDIU)”. Because of the ramifications of these changes to a veterans total disability rating, we strongly recommend:

1.Let one of our experienced service officers help you with your VA claims, especially those pertaining to unemployability.

2.Do not open a new claim once you have received a 100% disability for unemployability, unless it will impact on Dependency Indemnity Compensation. If you submit a new claim, it opens the door for the VA to review all of your disabilities and you may end up with a decreased total disability rating.

3.If you have any questions, please come talk with our service officers. They can recommend the best course of action for your disability claim.

Helping Heroes Fly Act

President Obama has signed into law the Helping Heroes Fly Act that will help improve the airport screening process for wounded and severely disabled service members and veterans. In response to concerns raised by wounded warriors about the length and invasiveness of the airport security process, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) created the Wounded Warrior/Military Severely Injured Joint Services Operation Center Program (MSIJSOC). Through this program, severely injured or disabled service members, veterans, and family members can contact the program's Operation Center at TSA before a flight to arrange for a specialized and dignified screening process. For information on how TSA is implementing this act, click here.

VA and Emergency Treatment

Many of us, at some point, have had to go to the emergency room for treatment. While the VA strives to provide the best service possible, they may not be able to make an appointment to see you when you are sick or injured. When the VA cannot give you a quick appointment or the medical staff believes that your illness or injury requires immediate attention, you may be directed to go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, simply because the clinic tells you to go to the emergency room does not mean that the VA will pay for the treatment. If you tell the hospital that VA will pay for your treatment, you may be in for a shock when you get a letter from the VA budget office that VA will not pay the bill. The next page will tell you what VA will or will not pay for in an emergency situation. Our recommendation is that you maintain a supplemental health plan to take care of treatment not available through the VA. This is also true if the VA is not able to take care of your medical problems and you must seek a non-VA medical clinic.Click here for the fact sheet addressing non-VA emergency care.

Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

The VA has a new program to help unemployed veterans get back into the work force. The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) is jointly administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor (DOL). The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to veterans who are at least 35 years old but no older than 60. Eligible participants will receive up to 12 months of training assistance at the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every veteran who participates or applies to the VRAP program. The program is limited to 45,000 participants during fiscal year 2012, and to 54,000 participants from Oct. 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by acommunity college or technical school. The program must lead to an associate degree, non-college degree, or a certificate, and train the veteran for a high demand occupation. You can learn more about VRAP athttp://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm.

VA Adds 47 Vessels to Agent Orange Exposure List

The Department of Veterans Affairs has added 47 vessels to the list of Navy and Coast Guard ships whose crews may have been exposed to Agent Orange between 1962 and 1975. Veterans who served aboard these ships and the 200 others listed may be eligible for disability compensation. VA updates its online database of ships as it is determined there is evidence a vessel operated within affected areas that potentially put crews at risk of exposure to the toxic chemical. Veterans can view the updated inventory by visiting www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/index.asp. Affected veterans and their survivors may be eligible for disability compensation for 14 different medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure.

Job Center

Cox Communications is often hiring. They only accept applications via their website so please visit www.workatcox.com to see full job descriptions and apply.

New Online Tools for Veteran Job-Seekers

Veterans now have on-demand access and can download official data about their military training and experience, which can be used to help them find jobs and continue their careers. Their service data can be uploaded to job search and networking sites to help identify employment opportunities. Starting Dec. 3, Veterans can use the VA’s online My HealtheVet portal (www.myhealth.va.gov) to see official information about their military service, including deployment data, in-uniform experience, and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes which define the type of work performed and skills learned during their tour of duty. Veterans can electronically download that information to their personal computers by using an enhanced version of the Blue Button. Military job information available to Veterans under this program will depend on discharge or retirement date. See our December newsletter for more information.

New Tool Helps Veterans Connect to Resources

Veterans and their families now have another tool to help them find information and the support they need to help them meet life’s challenges. This new tool is the Department of Veterans Affairs’ new online resource center at www.MakeTheConnection.net. In addition to connecting users to resources for issues affecting their health, well-being and everyday lives, the site features inspiring true stories from other veterans who faced life events, experiences, physical ailments or psychological symptoms and found ways to overcome their challenges.

Veterans Have a New Tool for Jobs Search

The Veterans Job Bank is a central source for veterans to locate job opportunities without having to visit multiple sites. It provides users with the ability to define their search criteria by keyword, Military Occupational Code and location. The National Resource Directory jobs search then pulls a selection of global job opportunities that have been posted or specifically tagged for veterans on job websites. The Veterans Job Bank is powered by the National Resource Directory (www.NRD.gov). In support of this initiative, the NRD also developed a Veterans Job Bank Widget, which allows access to the Veterans Job Bank directly from other websites. An easy to implement feature that any individual or organization can use, the Veterans Job Bank Widget allows veterans to conduct a targeted job search without ever leaving the website they are visiting.

Info For Those Separating from the Military

Are you getting ready to leave service? We have put together a newsletter of programs available to veterans, with emphasis on disabled veterans. You can read the newsletter by clicking here. You can also print it from this link.

Arizona Veterans’ Benefits

It is important to know your Arizona veteran benefits. Click here for an updated list of those benefits.

Conglomerate Veteran website

There is a website online that provides information to our veterans. It is a combination of 63 websites that provide information, service, and product sites serving the U.S. Military Veterans market. You can find this website athttp://www.veteranstodaynetwork.com/.

VA Creates Women Veterans Call Center

The VA has is reaching out to women Veterans to solicit their input on ways to enhance the health care services VA provides to women Veterans. It is seeking the input of women Veterans so that VA can continue to provide high quality health care to the growing numbers of women Veterans. Representatives at VA’s Health Resource Center (HRC) are placing calls to women Veterans nationwide, asking them to share their experiences with VA and suggest potential enhancements that will further VA’s mission to provide the best care anywhere. The HRC, which started placing calls on June 1, is contacting women Veterans who have enrolled, but have not begun using VA services. . “We want these Veterans and their caregivers to talk candidly about why they are not using VA, whether they are aware of the gender-specific services we offer, and what additional services they would like to see VA offer.”

VA Launches New Public Service Announcement on Suicide Prevention for Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reaching out to Veterans in crisis and their families in a new public service announcement to raise awareness about suicide prevention resources, such as the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). “VA is increasing its efforts to reach out to Veterans in need and their families, to inform them about available services and programs.” The new television spot encourages Veterans in crisis to call the crisis hotline number at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and then push 1 on their telephone keypad to reach a trained VA mental health professional who can assist the Veteran 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Suicide is preventable,” said Batten. “Every Veteran suicide is tragic and regardless of the numbers or rates, one Veteran suicide is too many. We feel the responsibility to continue to spread the word throughout the nation that suicide prevention is everyone’s business.”So far, more than 379,000 people have called the hotline, and more than 200,000 of these callers have identified themselves as Veterans, family members or friends of Veterans. The hotline has led to more than 13,000 rescues of actively suicidal Veterans. The hotline also operates an online Veterans Chat program, which provides Veterans, their families and friends with the ability to communicate anonymously online in real-time with a trained VA mental health professional. Veterans Chat can be accessed through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s web page at http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/Default.aspx.

New Website Helping Veterans With Legal Problems

The first website in the nation to focus exclusively on federal legal rights and resources important to veterans is off to a robust start, with visitors from all 50 states and 77 countries worldwide, including Iraq and Afghanistan. The website—StatesideLegal.org—was created by Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Portland, Maine, a nonprofit legal aid program funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). The website was launched last November as part of an LSC initiative to expand access to legal services for veterans. Recently awarded technology grants will be used by Pine Tree to expand Stateside Legal’s content and develop a new library of legal resources for professionals working with low-income veterans. An additional technology grant to the Legal Aid Society of Louisville will automate the initial application for disability compensation, helping veterans across the nation to improve the quality of their benefits application. For more information on the news release, click here.

New and Enhanced VA Benefits Provided to Caregivers of Veterans

The VA is launching the first of a series of new and enhanced services supporting family caregivers of seriously ill and injured Veterans. In May 2010, President Obama signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 legislation authorizing VA to establish a wide range of new services to support certain caregivers of eligible Post 9/11 Veterans. In addition to the new benefits and services for eligible Veterans who were disabled in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001 (Post 9/11 Veterans), VA will also begin providing enhanced benefits and services to caregivers of Veterans of all eras who are already enrolled in VA care. For more information, go to http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2048.

Conglomerate Veteran Website

There is a website online that provides information to our veterans. It is a combination of 63 websites that provide information, service, and product sites serving the U.S. Military Veterans market. You can find this website athttp://www.veteranstodaynetwork.com/.

Mortgage Help for Wounded Military Homeowners

Military Homeowners - If you have been wounded while on active duty, or your spouse has losttheir life in combat, you may be eligible for special mortgage forbearance.If you are unable to make your mortgage payment as a result of one of these unique hardships,and your loan is owned by Fannie Mae, you may be eligible for temporary relief from your monthlymortgage payments. To find out if Fannie Mae owns your mortgage or if you are eligible, please callFannie Mae at1-877-MIL-4566.Click here for more information.

President Signs Improvements to Post-9/11 GI Bill

To bring the educational benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill closer to more Veterans and Service Members, President Obama signed legislation Jan. 4 that streamlines the 18-month-old education program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).Among the provisions of the legislation are:

·Allowing reservists and Guardsmen to have their time supporting emergencies called by their state governors credited to the time needed to qualify for educational benefits;

·Providing one half of the national average for the program’s housing allowance to students enrolled in distance learning;

·Pro-rating the housing allowance to exclude payments when students are not in class;

·Allowing students on active duty receive the stipend for books and supplies;

·Allowing people eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, but participating in VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) benefits to choose between the GI Bill’s housing allowance or VR&E’s subsistence allowance;

·Permitting reimbursement for more than one “license and certification” test;

·Reimbursing fees to take national admission tests, such as SAT, ACT, GMAT and LSAT; and

·Establishing a national cap of $17,500 annually for tuition and fees in a private or a foreign school, not including contributions by educational institutions under the “Yellow Ribbon” program.

Information about the new provisions is available on the Internet at www.gibill.va.gov.

Warning to Veterans

WARNING TO ALL VETERANS

Forwarded by Kevin Secor, VSO Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way.http://www.vaservices.org/us/index.html

VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. Our Legal Counsel has requested that we coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services. In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, please pass any additional information to Mr.Daugherty at the address below.

Home Adaptation Grants Eligibility Expanded

The VA adopted a final rule that will expand eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants for permanently and totally disabled veterans and armed service members. The new rule makes both types of grants available to those who suffered extensive burns limiting movement of two or more limbs or at least one limb and the trunk. It also makes special home adaptation grants available to permanently and totally disabled veterans and service members who lose or lose use of both hands, those with severe burns and those with inhalation injuries. The rule would allow special adapted house grants of as much as 50 percent of the cost of a new home up to approximately $64,000 for permanently and totally disabled veterans with burns that limit their range of motion in two or more limbs or one limb and the trunk of the body. It also adds members of the armed services on active duty to be eligible for both types of grants. For more information, go to:http://dav.org/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=323.

VA Makes Filing Claims Easier and Faster for Veterans

As part of VA Secretary Shinseki's effort to reduce the claims backlog, the VA is reducing the paperwork and expediting the process for Veterans seeking compensation for service-connected disabilities.VA has shortened application forms to reduce paperwork. The new forms, which are being made available on VA's Web site at www.va.gov/vaforms Forms include:

*A shortened VA Form 21-526 for Veterans applying for the first-time to VA for disability compensation or pension benefits. This form has been cut in half - from 23 to 10 pages. It is immediately available to Veterans via Web download, and will be available through VA's online claim-filing process later this summer athttp://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

* VA Form 21-526b for Veterans seeking increased benefits for conditions already determined by VA to be service-connected. This new form more clearly describes the information needed to support claims forincreased benefits.

To make the claims process faster, VA has also introduced two new forms for Veterans participating in the Department's new fully developed claim (FDC) program, which is one of the fastest means to receive a claims decision. To participate in the FDC program, Veterans should complete and submit an FDC Certification and VA Form 21-526EZ, "Fully Developed Claim (Compensation)," for a compensation claim, or a VA Form 21-527EZ, "Fully Developed Claim (Pension)," for a pension claim. For additional information, go towww.va.govor call VA's toll free benefits number at 1-800-827-1000.

Important Documents Checklist

It is in the interest of every veteran’s family to have the information that’s needed in the event of the veteran’s death or incapacitation. One good way to provide that information is use our important documents checklist. It includes the documents you should have, a page to identify the location of those documents and special notes. Make sure your spouse or executor/trustee has the information necessary to obtain benefits for your family upon your death. Click herefor our Important Documents Checklist.

Did You Know?

Donations you make online to the Disabled American Veterans go to the National office. If you wish to donate to your local chapter, Fry Chapter 14, you must send the check to our mailing address at PO Box 1014, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636. Please make the check out to DAV, Chapter 14. We also take donations in cash. If you have any items to donate, please call us at (520) 458-0307 to make delivery arrangements. Thank you.

Announcements from DAV Headquarters

2016 Ford Drive 4 UR Community

Our longtime supporter and friend, Ford Motor Company, has again partnered with DAV with their year-round "Drive 4 UR Community" (D4URC) program. This is an opportunity for Departments to raise funds for veterans and their families’ right in their own backyard. Read more